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Spec Me Some Headphones.
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Dom_Cabarete
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get on it people, i want in on this 
candlestick
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I've got a set of Phillips earclip ones but I don't think the sound is too hot tbh. I reckon in-ear would be better, probably a set of Sennheisers or Skullcandy if you're looking at the lower end of the market (£10-£30 or summat)
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Thanks for the pointers folks and the headsup Grenders. 
I've got some Sennheiser 300s which are I suppose the best I've tried yet - plenty of volume, nice spacial sound, but a bit lacking in the bass dept, and they're forever dropping out!
I've got some Sennheiser 300s which are I suppose the best I've tried yet - plenty of volume, nice spacial sound, but a bit lacking in the bass dept, and they're forever dropping out!
A pair of Sennheiser CX 95s would fit the bill, as would iSkin Cerulean X1s, providing you can find them. I'd say the former have a nice well-rounded sound with punchy bass where as the latter really kick hard but lack definition.
I only listen to electronic music (i.e. dance, for want of a better term) and I'm quite happy with my 95s. Never had an issue with the CX300s or CX400s falling out of my ears and, as you'd expect, the 95s carry on that trend.
Do also remember that your digital format of choice will affect your bass more than your headphones will.
I only listen to electronic music (i.e. dance, for want of a better term) and I'm quite happy with my 95s. Never had an issue with the CX300s or CX400s falling out of my ears and, as you'd expect, the 95s carry on that trend.
Do also remember that your digital format of choice will affect your bass more than your headphones will.
Grendel
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Would you mind explaining in a bit more detail what you mean by that? Are you saying that (say) mp3 will give better / worse bass than (say) AAC? Be really interested to know
(sorry for the slight hijack CT)
Ah, I said format didn't I? Well, that's not really the best way to put it.
It's essentially true, as I was thinking more about lossless, but a more eloquent way of putting it would be to refer to the bit-rate you are using. And, in most cases, the software you are using to convert. However, it is said that AAC sounds 'better' than the equivalent MP3 but I've never really sat down and studied it.
If you rip to, say, an 256 kbit/s VBR MP3 using one of the better pieces of software, most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference between that and CD quality. Hell, most people wouldn't even spot 192 or even 160 in some cases. But there are certain 'tell-tale' signs that you've used compression, especially when dealing with electronic/dance music.
But it's all really down to the individual and how good their ears are. I fill my iPod with lossless files because I want my music to sound as good as it does off the CD. If I have to use MP3 I'll go for the highest bit-rate I can possibly get away with, converted with the best software I know of.
It's essentially true, as I was thinking more about lossless, but a more eloquent way of putting it would be to refer to the bit-rate you are using. And, in most cases, the software you are using to convert. However, it is said that AAC sounds 'better' than the equivalent MP3 but I've never really sat down and studied it.
If you rip to, say, an 256 kbit/s VBR MP3 using one of the better pieces of software, most people wouldn't be able to tell the difference between that and CD quality. Hell, most people wouldn't even spot 192 or even 160 in some cases. But there are certain 'tell-tale' signs that you've used compression, especially when dealing with electronic/dance music.
But it's all really down to the individual and how good their ears are. I fill my iPod with lossless files because I want my music to sound as good as it does off the CD. If I have to use MP3 I'll go for the highest bit-rate I can possibly get away with, converted with the best software I know of.
kiteninja
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i got some SHURE SE110s i think they are got them from HMV for £50, shame there too big for my ears but they sound good.
I use Sennheiser CX300s on my ipod for the price the quality is awesome, I've always had Sennheiser they never let me down for quality, build and comfort i would check out there site and see what ones you like the look of and if your lucky ebay might have a none fake pair for cheap.
I use Sennheiser CX300s on my ipod
for the price the quality is awesome, I've always had Sennheiser they never let me down for quality, build and comfort i would check out there site and see what ones you like the look of and if your lucky ebay might have a none fake pair for cheap.
oldestswinger
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I'm not sure what your budget is but as a musician I use Shure E4c's - great bass reproduction - far better than the E2c's - great earphones if your budget will stretch that far - you won't be disappointed
You can't really go wrong with 320 kbit/s but there are ways of making it better.
Ideally you'd want to be using Exact Audio Copy, which is the best, but rather geeky. But paired with the right codecs it'll do everything brilliantly.
A good alternative is dBpoweramp, which has the added benefit of being relatively easy to use. Not as good as EAC at ripping but pretty handy and the Audio Conversion software is masterful.
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I've been looking at the Shure E4c's actually. They get very good reviews.I'm not sure what your budget is but as a musician I use Shure E4c's - great bass reproduction - far better than the E2c's - great earphones if your budget will stretch that far - you won't be disappointed
JDholic
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Just to throw another spanner into the works, I have a set of Shure SE210's. Once you get used to the funny over the ear manoeuvre they are excellent. The noise cancelling is superb. I use them in the work van all the time and it cancels out all wind noise at motorway speed. The sound quality is good as well.
I'm sorry, but 'Shure' and 'bass reproduction' and don't belong in the same sentence unless you include the words 'there isn't any' and 'on these'.
The E4c's don't sound any better than a number of 'phones at half the price. Okay, they're great for some types of music, but rubbish for anything that relies on low frequencies.
I really hope you aren't driving said van...
They are very good but they are also very annoying to wear. And you've got to really love your bass to stand them for any extended period of time.
Klipsch's Image X1s are good, as are the X5s. Shure's SE102s are okay but they lack the crucial bass thump. Sennheiser CX500s are rubbish. V-Moda Vibe IIs have loads of bass and are nicely tuned, but are hard to find.
But for the money I'd still recommend the Sennhsier CX95s over pretty much anything this side of £100. They sound just like my HD-25s and that's good enough for me.
JDholic
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oldestswinger
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I guess me 'n Glitch will have to agree to disagree :shrug:
I've had mine now for a couple of years and find no problem at all with the bass repro - I use custom moulded ear pieces with mine too and so the fit is perfect every time.
Best thing to do is see if someone close by has a set you can use for a few days, make sure you get them fitted right, use the right buds and get them in your ear the right way up Then make your own mind up.
Also pop along to a specsavers hearing centre for a free hearing test - they'll tell you what, if any, frequencies you have difficulty with as that too might be useful info - as a drummer I get mine done every 12 months - still nowt wrong with mine - PARDON! :rules:
I've had mine now for a couple of years and find no problem at all with the bass repro - I use custom moulded ear pieces with mine too and so the fit is perfect every time.
Best thing to do is see if someone close by has a set you can use for a few days, make sure you get them fitted right, use the right buds and get them in your ear the right way up
Then make your own mind up.Also pop along to a specsavers hearing centre for a free hearing test - they'll tell you what, if any, frequencies you have difficulty with as that too might be useful info - as a drummer I get mine done every 12 months - still nowt wrong with mine - PARDON! :rules:
Looks that way! Oh, but wait a second...
A-ha! That explains it.
If you're going to spend that sort of money to get customs made, almost any pair of earphones will sound like they've got bass.
In my experience, and compared to the competition, Shure's really don't kick as hard as they should do. What sounds like a thump on my HD-25s sounds somewhat muffled on the Shure's I've tested. They're great at the other end of the frequency spectrum but they lack oomph lower down.
But, as you say, that's possibly a subjective thing.
flyingmonkeycorp
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Right, this is only hearsay, BUT it might be worth looking into. I gave up on getting anything like decent quality on anything other than closed ear phones a fair while ago - I have Grado SR60s, and I've not found anything to touch them. So not much use to you. However, you can now get iGrado neckband phones, which might be more up your street and get some great reviews - might be worth a Google.